Beggars will be asking for trouble from Colorado Springs police if they continue to panhandle downtown.

They won’t be alone.

Salvation Army bell ringers and the Girl Scouts could also end up on the wrong side of the law under an ordinance the City Council approved Tuesday that bans all forms of solicitation in a 12-square block zone in the heart of downtown, including Acacia Park.

The no-solicitation zone, a controversial idea to fight panhandling that merchants say is hurting business, is part of a larger plan by Mayor Steve Bach to increase safety downtown — or at least the perception of it.

Other efforts include increased foot patrols and 13 surveillance cameras that are scheduled to be up and running Dec. 7.

burt commented:

airon-later commented:

But I have always heard that Colorado Springs was meant to be this mecca of Right-Wing ideology…….heck, even Michelle “Purse Lipped Rage Princess” Malkin has lauded the city’s “conservative values”. One would think people like her and the “traditional folks” of Colorado Springs would welcome the Salvation Army, considering their long history of virilant attacks on the LGBT community.

NeoKong commented:

That is disgusting that they include a fine organization like the Savation Army in with the alcoholics and bum who panhandle.
The Salvation Army does not “panhandle”.
They collect donations to help the poor and the needy.
If there was ever a fire downtown and the Salvation Army showed up to help all the displaced people would they be removed as well…?

RKae commented:

Colorado, you have people getting shot when they attend school or go to a movie – killed by glassy-eyed, mind-controlled loonies who shoot at people for kicks. You’re the random mass murder capital of the USA. You have bigger problems than Salvation Army bell-ringers.

SKay commented:

Chuck commented:

Dallas went through similar issues when they passed their “no panhandling” ordinance. They had to amend it to allow for things like the Salvation Army, fire fighters “Fill the Boot” campaign, Girl Scout cookie sales, etc. It’s amazing how what looks good on paper doesn’t quite work out the way people envision.

Percival commented:

Does this Jim Hoft character have some kind of learning disability or is he just genuinely dishonest?

Conveniently omitted quote from the linked article:
“While the ordinance bans all forms of solicitation, the mayor noted that groups such as Salvation Army bell ringers would be allowed to solicit on private property.”

RickZ commented:

#14 Percival commented:

Right. They can collect on private property, but not on public property like sidewalks. Since when did the SA lose their rights as citizens?

I will also add that based upon this story, the City of Colorado Springs must be a great city with no murder or crime, no violence, no traffic violations. Why it must be peace on earth. Oh wait, that’s a little too Christmas-y.

briscuit commented:

The hobos and panhandlers in Colorado Springs have become a nuisance. Certainly is businesses want to invite the salvation army inside their doors, I’m sure it would allow them to get around the city ordinance against panhandling.

Jerry C commented:

@ #14 Percival-“Does this Jim Hoft character have some kind of learning disability or is he just genuinely dishonest? Conveniently omitted quote from the linked article:
“While the ordinance bans all forms of solicitation, the mayor noted that groups such as Salvation Army bell ringers would be allowed to solicit on private property.” ”

Obviously, you’re the one with the learning disability or genuinely dishonest. It’s called private property, not public property for a reason.

The government wants to do the helping & doesn’t want competition for their democratic voters. America’s biggest corporation is the U.S. government. And they have the courts & police to back them up.